looking into a front projector to watch movies and do gaming, optoma hd70 is affordable and looks good, what are your guys suggestions. Looking for at least 1280 x 720. mahalos

Any reasonably bright 1280x720 projector would do nicely for gaming. I upgraded from 720 to 1080 last year and indeed noticed the extra sharpness of 1080 had to offer. But whether the extra sharpness is worth 2x the price tag is really up to you. I recently saw a Sanyo Z4 w/120" Dalite HP screen and I must say it looked very very good. I believe the 1080 projector can be had from high teens to mid 20's. Mitsubishi HC4900 is currently the cheapest 1080 projector. For DLP there are Optoma HD803 and the upcoming BenQ W5000 (w/lenshift). If I were to suggest one thing, I'd suggest checking out the Dalite HP screen. You can run the projector on econ mode with a new bulb and when the bulb dims you can run it on high brightness mode.

Kumala, I have the HD-70 and love it. I use it for movies and gaming and can't get enough of it. I tried gaming during the day on a smaller tv but just can't stand it anymore. Instead, I throw a blanket over the window and keep on playing with the big screen. Here's some pics from the 360 set-up thread.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12634519#post12634519

As far as cheap 720p projectors go its my understanding the HD70 is king. I believe visual Apex throws in a two year bulb warranty if you're interested.

thanks guys, I am planning to place to pj on a table or av rack. Looking at the mits hd1000u. price is good and seems to have great reviews over the optoma hd70.

thanks guys, I am planning to place to pj on a table or av rack. Looking at the mits hd1000u. price is good and seems to have great reviews over the optoma hd70.

I was looking into going the pj route last spring and those are the two I was deciding between. After a lot of research on the pj forum the general consensus seems to be they perform pretty equally. The Mits may be ever so slightly sharper but you're gonna pay more for it as well.

Considering the HD70 has a 1 year extended warranty on Visual Apex and a 2 year bulb warranty I'd go that route myself. You'll probably burn through a bulb in that first two years and when you do you aren't gonna have to fork over $250 for a new one.

I have the HD1000U here and love it. A friend has the HD70. You can't really go wrong with either IMO. The only mistake you can make is waiting any longer. :D

I think i am going with the mits. thanks guys for your input.

If you have not already seen this thread in the under $3000 projector forum...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=965178

If you have not already seen this thread in the under $3000 projector forum...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=965178

Thanks alot dude, now I look at my little 32" LCD TV with disgust and contempt. After seeing those screens I may as well be playing on a 21" SD CRT. I don't think I like you ;)

Anyway I may be looking towards a pj investment this summer if I'm making good money.